Pages

Come join me in my quest to live a happier more frugal way of life, while enjoying the more traditional family values.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Pros and Cons of Being More Frugal Part 2

Losses and Gains Part 2

After posting my losses yesterday it's now time to look at what I have gained by losing. I neglected to say yesterday that I have also lost paid income, but that in itself has provided me with many gains.

GAINS

I think I will start with one which is of real importance to me and that's self respect, I used to feel so guilty about where I was in my life and I used to worryabout what my Grandchildren would think of me when they were old enough to recognise me for what I was. A financial disaster, so as a way of preventing them from falling into the same trap I started bank accounts up for them as soon as they were born. I still give them a little money each time I see them and allow them to only spend a portion of it while saving the rest. I am now hoping that as they grow older they will see me as a good financial role model.

I have now gained good sleep patterns, I no longer walk the house in the wee small hours counting and recounting money. This stage in my life was particularly bad when I was running the Restaurant and it was time to work out wages and pay bills, during that time I would be surprised if I got more than a couple of hours of sleep a night.

I have gained a wonderful Husband, for years we were on a different page financially we worked our wages and bills as a you and me type of situation with both of us refusing to talk about how much savings or debt we had incured. This was especially frustrating for me when I finally saw the light and The Foxx did not. Now we plan together and spend together and save together, how sweet does that word together sound.

I am now slowly crawling my way back out of debt. At last I am gaining control of what I thought would be following us into retirement. I now know that by sticking to our plan we will be debt free before The Foxx retires.

I no longer pay bank fees I have gained control over my bank accounts, there was a time when all of my direct debits would be late and at $40 late fees per time this happened I was struggling to get through the month ( I have since changed my account name and the fee would now be $10 ) I think now I would be happy to look my bank Manager in the eye.

I have gained my home life back and because I am no longer working we have gained a carer for my aging MIL. I now enjoy cooking and cleaning and everything involved with running my home. I remember a few years ago I hired a cleaner to come in weekly and do the work which I never had the time or the inclination to do. Now making my own cleaning products and trying to find ways of living better for less are what occupy my days now. I love being a housewife and The Foxx is loving coming home each day to an organised home with wonderful new recipes to eat ( all bought with my budget in mind ) I am contributing things which money just could not buy.

I have gained my own fruit and veg shop as we laughingly call it, this is my backyard. I am growing herbs, veg and we have a few fruit trees. Putting my hands into the soil is so therapeutic I love it. There are some aspects of gardening I just can't manage like heavy digging and spending hours bending over. So I have set up a high bench for all my seedlings and for potting and by regular weeding I don't have to spend a lot of time bending over. And if I need any heavy digging done I have a fit and healthy Son and Son-in-Law.

Last but by no means least my financial journey has brought me in contact with some wonderful bloggers who are a wealth of knowledge and support. I have gained some facebook friends through this as well maybe some day we might even meet.

So there we have it, my gains. I am sure there are heaps more which by now I am taking for granted. But after reading back over them I notice that the biggest gains are all about how I feel about me. It's shocking that it has taken me till I reach 61 years of age to find out things I should have always known. Still better late than never..

23 comments:

It's great to hear about how well you're doing. It sounds like you've really got everything sorted.

I would love to be gardening in the Australian climate - you can grow so many exotic things all year round, whereas here all I have growing are herbs, carrots, silverbeet and spinach! Not too many exciting meals come out of that combination!

I discovered so many things from your list too over the last couple of years. I can definitely relate, and I think it's especially important to have your significant other on the same page. It took me quite some time but he's finally coming around! And it would definitely be nice to meet one day :)

Even though we are seperated by miles ,our aims are the same.I now have had control of my bank account 2 years ago i didnt and had huge overdraft plus charges.Im not lucky enough to have the support of OH but have the support of fellow bloggers which are helping me along.x

There's just no comparison now is there - between now and then! You are a winner in the game of life Maureen. There must be such intense satisfaction in knowing you've figured it out at last. And debt-free before the Foxx retires??? What an amazing accomplishment that will be - very proud of you my dear!!

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh frugal blogger convention in australia..........I like the sounds of that! LOL

Along with great losses, you have a great list of gains here too, it is amazing it is really the emotions behind it all that changes as we change that can make all the difference in the world!Keep it up Maureen, you are a wonderful example of change.

I AM FINALLY FREE FROM FINANCIAL BONDAGE THANKS TO MOORE LOAN COMPANY (mooreloancompany@yahoo.com).

Good day everyone,I can’t hide this great testimony that took place in my life I will love everyone to know it and be a partaker of this, that is why I want to share it to the whole world by placing this advert on classifieds, I am Mrs Karen Brown by name, I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee United State, I want to thank ROBBINSON MOORE for his kindness upon my family life, I never knew that there is still a sincere and trustworthy lender like this on the internet and on earth. Just some days I was in search for a loan of $ 100,000.00, As I was running out of money for feeding, School fees, My business was really going out of capital and my rent. I was scammed about $15,000.00 dollars and I decided not to involve my self in such business again. But a Friend of mine introduced me to a loan firm due to my appearance and doings and also my complains to her. And I told her that I am not interested in any loan deal anymore but she told me that there is still a sincere lender who she will recommend me to, And she gave me the details of this man who is called MOORE ROBBINSON. And I really put a trial and I am most greatful and lucky today, I was given a loan amount of $95,000,00 Dollars by this great firm MOORE LOAN COMPANY. If you are in need of a genuine, Sincere, durable and a truth worthy loan lender or financial assistance and also you know you can be reliable and trusted, capable of paying back at the due / duration time of the funds I will advice you to send your contact to them via email @[ mooreloancompany@yahoo.com] OR Test (414) 454-9493 .

LIebster Award

Stylish Blogger Award

Visitors From 26th Dec 2010

About Me

When I first starting writing this blog I was working fulltime and trying to make up for a lot of bad financial decisions made over a large number of years.
I am now a full time housewife and carer to my aging MIL and on an aged pension so it is definitely too late to turn my finances around to the extent where I will be able to own a home again.
So let's make the best of a bad job and live as frugally and comfortably as possible for the rest of our lives.....